Also on Saturday, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) seized control of three neighborhoods in the eastern part of Mosul city after fierce clashes with ISIS fighters.

“The ISF have secured the neighborhoods of al-Adil, Taamim and al-Eylam,” the Iraqi General Command said.

Although the ISIS militants have shown heavy resistance in defense of Mosul, the Iraqi forces have been able to continue their progress in the operation.

Mosul is the ISIS de facto capital in Iraq. The group took over the city in June 2014, and immediately afterward announced its self-proclaimed Caliphate.

On October 17, the Iraqi Army and Kurdish Peshmerga launched a major operation to liberate Mosul city and its surroundings. According to military sources, more than 2,200 ISIS militants have been killed in the operation so far.

The Iraqi forces have so far captured some 28 neighborhoods in the war-torn city since the launch of Mosul operation, forcing the ISIS militants back towards the downtown core.

Informed sources inside Mosul told ARA News that the Iraqi forces currently control approximately 50% of Mosul city, besides tightening the siege on the ISIS-held downtown districts.

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